(Ithaca, N.Y., December 13, 2022) – The Tompkins County Health Department is alerting the community of the CDC’s recent recommendation of FDA-authorized Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster doses for ages 6 months through age 5. The updated booster dose provides enhanced protection against the COVID-19 variants. Caregivers should contact their child’s primary healthcare provider or a local pharmacy (for ages 3 years and older) to learn more about vaccine availability and schedule an appointment or search online at vaccines.gov. TCHD is encouraging all eligible individuals to stay up to date on vaccinations and receive a booster dose.
The updated, or bivalent, COVID-19 boosters add Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 spike protein components to the current vaccine composition. This addition helps restore protection that has decreased since previous vaccination by targeting variants that are more transmissible and evade the immune system. Receiving an updated booster dose will increase your child’s protection against current variants, reducing severity of illness should they become infected.
Children ages 6 months through 5 years who previously completed a Moderna primary series are eligible to receive a Moderna bivalent booster 2 months after their final primary series dose. Children ages 6 months through 4 years who are currently completing a Pfizer primary series will receive a Pfizer bivalent vaccine as their third primary dose. To check eligibility for a booster dose, use the CDC’s interactive, online Booster Tool.
COVID-19 Vaccines, including boosters, remain free of charge. The booster doses will be primarily available at local pharmacies and healthcare provider offices. Find a vaccine near you online at vaccines.gov or dial 211 (1-877-211-8667) for assistance. You will need to present your vaccination card demonstrating which vaccine you were given and the date your vaccine was received to obtain an updated booster dose.
Public Health Director Frank Kruppa stated, “This news comes at a pivotal moment as this age group is experiencing a surge of respiratory illness this winter. Along with a flu vaccine, receiving an updated COVID-19 booster is of utmost importance at preventing severe illness and spread in households. We encourage everyone who is eligible and able to get vaccinated and stay up to date on their vaccinations. Vaccines continue to be safe and effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death.”
The Tompkins County Health Department is your partner for a healthy community. Find us online at TompkinsCountyNY.gov/health, and follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/TompkinsPublicHealth and on Twitter at @TompkinsHealth. Sign up to receive COVID-19 updates or other county announcements via email or text.
Media contact: Shannon Alvord, salvord@tompkins-co.org
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